Table of Contents: August 2009

In this month's Editorial the PLoS Medicine editors question the nature and effects of shared decision-making on patient care and subsequent treatment. The editors discuss the criteria for when shared decisions between patient and health care provider should be made, how different forms of data presentation can deepen a patient's understanding of possible treatment options, and how certain presentations can also prove unfairly persuasive. Linking to two research articles published this month in PLoS Medicine, both by Cheryl Carling and colleagues (e1000134 and e1000140), the editorial analyzes the best ways for health care providers to be as informative as possible, while maintaining objectivity and a respect for patients' values prior to treatment.